afro-naturalista

[afro-naturalista]

My curly hair is as wild as a lions mane, putting fear in all those who dear to enter its domain in an attempt to tame it.

Tyler Correawhte

[afro-naturalista]

Every Natural haired girl has a hair story. Whether it be one that hits close to home or one that has brought out the best person they can be. Almost every Naturalista that I know has overcome their obstacles about their hair and have become a better version of themselves. I shared my story in another blog post called “My hair Transformation”. Read that to be inspired and watch the video above from Teen Vogue to be inspired as well.

[afro-naturalista]

Its been called unruly, unprofessional and coarse but I call it powerful, strong, individualistic coils.

Tyler Correawhite

[afro-naturalista]

11 Natural Hair Do’s and Dont’s

By: Tyler Correawhite

Do’s

1) Do be patient

Be patient with your hair because you may not always find the best products for your hair the first trial. Try out different products when trying to figure out which one will work well. Also be patient when your hair grows. It may not grow fast but trust me it will grow. 

2) Do moisturize your hair

Your hair needs moisture, whether it come from oil or your conditioner. It needs oil to stay healthy and strong. Also to grow. So make sure your scalp and ends are moisturized.

3) Do read the ingredients

Read what is in the product before you use it. Many products contain things that are damaging for the hair. So make sure you read so that you can prevent this. 

4) Do embrace your hair

Your hair is a staple of your beauty. You should embrace its beautiful texture and curls and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

5) Do limit the combing, pulling and brushing

Combing, pulling and brushing all pull out your hair. It also makes your hair weak and damaged. Refrain from doing this so that you can keep your hair from pulling out. Also brushing you curls makes them frizzy. So try finger untangling instead.

Dont’s

1) Don’t expect your curls to look like someone else’s

Remember that all curls are not the same, so don’t expect your curls to look like the next curly haired girl because they aren’t. Every curl is different and unique.

2) Don’t shampoo, just Cowash

Shampoo strips the hair of natural oils. Cowashing placed the oils back into your hair meanwhile making you hair clean and fresh.

3) Don’t use straighteners often

Straighteners damage the hair follicle, making your hair loose its natural texture. So try to limit the amount of heat that you use in your hair so you can preserve your natural curl.

4) Don’t use chemicals (texturizers or relaxers)

Texturizers and Relaxers are a big NONO! They do make your hair soft but they are still damaging to your hair.

5) Don’t be rough with your hair

Your hair is fragile and deserves care. So be kind and gentle to it and feed it the right products and healthy foods it needs. 

6) Don’t wash your hair too often

Washing your hair often will strip your hair of the natural oils it has to keep it healthy.

[afro-naturalista]

5 good reasons why you should love your natural hair

By: Tyler Correawhite

1) Helps to make you stand out

Not everyone has natural curly hair. Most people straighten their natural hair or is born with straight hair. But you honey, you were born with beautiful spirals! And for that, it makes you unique because not every curl is the same. 

2) Curly/Natural hair adds to your character

Apparently natural haired girls are seen as happy, carefree, fun, sexy, and adventurous. Our hair also holds power and confidence since we are showing our appreciation for it. i say you own your hair and make it a statement of character.

3) You don’t always have to style and brush it

This is true. It saves you worry and time most times. All you have to do is wake up, spritz spritz, and then go. I mean sometimes you should style and brush your hair if you want.

4) Your hair is versatile

In other words, you can either wear your hair curly or straight depending on your mood or preference for the day. You are not forced to do one certain look. Both ways your hair looks great but don’t straighten it too often.

5) Curly hair looks like it has life and volume

This is so true! Girl people with straight hair are looking that volume that you have. You have volume when your hair is both straight and curly! Why would you want to give that up.

[afro-naturalista]

Here’s my Mom and Dad

By: Tyler Correawhite

Here is how I got my beautiful natural hair. Well first off, I am mixed Jamaican and Colombian. These are my beautiful parents who gave birth to me and have made me to look like the beautiful human I am. Growing up, my mom never wore her hair natural. Instead it was a permed short Halle Berry cut. Never really knew what natural hair looked like except that I had curly hair and it was huge. I usually wore my hair in these ugly plats that my mom did for me until I found independence in doing my own hair. And from there on I did buns, pony tails, and braids. 

When my mom finally did her big chop that was when I started wearing my hair curly sometimes. It was only because my mom was going through the product trial stage and she would sometimes use the products on my hair. And for my dad, he didn’t really know what to do with my hair when I grew up. He actually preferred my hair straight because he thought it looked cleaner or that it was easier to handle. But now he loves my hair when its curly. I think that he didn’t like my hair natural at first because he saw how I would struggle when I would style it. But at the end of the day, these are my parents, and they helped to create the hair that I envy so much and for that I thank them. Now my mom, sister and I rock the natural hair look and we all love it.

[afro-naturalista]

Here’s the first art work I have ever done of my self with curly hair.

[afro-naturalista]

My Hair Transformation

By: Tyler Correawhite

I know that my page is all about appreciating natural hair, however, there was a time where I hated my hair. Not because it was curly but because it didn’t look like everyone else’s. It was my first year, 9th grade, in high school, you know that day when you first come in and everyone is sort of meeting each other for the first time creating their own little cliques. Well I didn’t find my clique until many weeks into high school and heres how. In the beginning my hair was curly, the big beautiful afro of curls that my mom gave me that I didn’t like. Of course I straightened my hair once, twice or a few times, but I still wore it natural even if I didn’t like it. I remember one day I decided to straighten my hair, and from that day on people started talking to me. From there, I assumed that people liked me better because my hair was straight. They complimented my hair that day telling me how my hair was so pretty and that I should do it more often. And from that moment I would straighten my hair every morning trying to please other people and not my self. I did like the attention I got after it, but not the damage that came with it. From there my hair started breaking, becoming brittle, and overall falling out, until my hair looked so thin and unhealthy. I remember having a boyfriend during my 9th grade year and he told me that he preferred my hair straight. I didn’t ask why, I knew it was insulting but I still wore my hair straight. It took my a while to realize that my hair was becoming so unhealthy and that summer I cut my hair shoulder length. I needed to cut more but I wasn’t particularly ready for a change like that. I rocked the short curly hair but I hated it, and so I started taking care of my hair. I used a series of hair masques, I even used eggs and mayo in my hair and that summer my hair grew over 5 inches. And then I loved my hair. I started wearing my hair natural ever since. I started appreciating the curls that my parents gave me. I was beautiful. I still had friends after and to my boyfriend who is now my ex, I confronted him on why he said that to me. He said it was because he thought I was prettier with straight hair. I gave him a confused and angry look, and I said, “You contributed to the insecurity that I had against my hair, and for that I thank you. If you hadn’t said that I would of never found love for my hair. But this is my curly hair. And I love it and I don’t give a fuck how you feel.” Today, I am more than happy with my hair. My hair defines who I am and its a staple to my beauty. Its okay if you didn’t love your hair at first. As long as you some where in life find that moment where you say “ I LOVE MY HAIR” thats the moment where you have reached self love. 

[afro-naturalista]

“Unprofessional” Hair Styles googled, my response

By: Tyler Correawhite

I was scrolling down on Instagram and a post linked with this photo. What really struck me was this photo. Mainly because the the first photo and also most of the photos here under this search are linked to the name “Unprofessional hairstyles for work”. it astonishes m e that most of the photos are African American girls with natural hair. Now I ask my self this question, Why? I just don’t get why this world acts like they are leaning towards change yet they have things like this still up. When a young girl with natural hair searches up something like this, what will she think of the beautiful curls she was born with. She will only think less of it and confine to the rigid standards of European beauty that our society has created. Another thing, what is professional hair even. Isn’t hair just hair? Last time I checked, hair doesn’t determine whether you are good or qualified for a job. Its your actions, your credentials, your ideas, your character and passion are what determine that you are good at doing your job. When I searched up “Professional hairstyles for work”, there were a lot of Caucasians with straight hair and one black girl with straight hair. The fact that straight is professional bothers me. It makes it as if natural hair isn’t what should be allowed in the work place which think should be completely false. Whatever boss tells you that your natural hair can not be worn in the work place should be called out upon for discrimination. Its time we make a change even in the workplace. 

[afro-naturalista]

I don't need a relaxer my hair ain't stressed out.

Anonymous 

[afro-naturalista]

10 Things that you shouldn’t say to a Natural Haired Female and Why?

By: Tyler Correawhite

It has been a little bit of time now since natural haired females have started wearing their natural hair. Even with all of these movements about wearing natural hair and appreciating it, many people still feel the need to say certain comments that are in the least bit respectful. It is clear that these comments are ignorant and come from people who lack knowledge. They don’t notice that most of their comments and questions are disrespectful and make us natural haired girls feel like our hair isn’t worth appreciating. Instead of commenting or making certain judgements about our hair, why don’t you just ask us to inform you. We can teach you a bit about why we believe our hair shows power, vulnerability, beauty, and appreciation. And maybe you can start appreciating the natural haired in your workplace, or on the street. instead of bringing one down, start bringing each other up by sharing a compliment. Here are a list of things you shouldn’t say to a natural haired female and why I believe you shouldn’t. Please take this into consideration if you have said one of these things to a naturalista. 

1) “Why don’t you wear your hair straight anymore? It looked so much nicer!”

Well, for your information, this is MY HAIR! So however you feel doesn’t particularly matter because I decide how I want to wear my hair. Not only is it my hair but you are implying that my hair doesn’t look nice now. This is the hair that I was born with and I will wear it however I feel looks best to me.

2) “Can I touch it?”

My hair isn’t an exotic creature that needs special attention like that. Yes it can be touched without you harming yourself. I know it looks different but trust me it is hair just like yours, maybe a different texture, but still hair. So don’t ask a random stranger natural haired girl if you can touch it. You just sound stupid!

3) “Do you wash your hair?”

Yes of course I wash my hair dumby! Don’t we all! Now you just sound ignorant. I wash my hair just like you. Just because my hair looks different doesn’t mean the same tools ( shampoo and conditioner) cant be used. I may not wash it every day but I surely wash it every week on Wash Day. For all the natural haired girls, you know what that means. 

4) “Why do you have so much hair product in your hair?”

Well I’m sorry that the amount of hair product in my hair concerns you. For all I care is that if it looks good then i’m fine. The amount of hair product I have doesn’t concern your well being. Is it hurting you? I think not.

5) “You only need a dime-sized amount.”

Every natural haired girl knows this is the biggest lie stated on a product bottle or a hair stylist. Each section needs more than a dime-sized amount. Its time you be honest about how much I should use and try saying a generous amount you feel is necessary. This statement makes me feel like I have too much hair since I use/need way more than suggested.

6) “Did you do your hair this morning?”

Now you have gone way to far, yes I did. Just because it looks the same as every other day doesn’t mean I didn’t do anything. Anyways why does this concern you. This hair isn’t on your head. Now you make me feel like my hair is ugly. My hair is like this because I like it this way. Thanks.

7) “What do you put in your hair to make it curly?”

I was born with this hair. Now this question is the most disrespectful! What do you put in your hair to make it straight? Exactly, NOTHING. You were born this way. 

8) ”You're hair is so puffy!”

Puffy.... Im not a dog. End of comment

9) ”Don’t you think your hair is unprofessional.”

Why does aa hairstyle define whether or not I am qualified for work in terms of my appearance. Unprofessional? Unruly? ... Now you are just trying to bring down my self esteem. You are trying to make sure that girls like me don’t get the appreciation that they deserve. Its time you quit making names for the hair that I have and just leave me alone. 

10) “Do you even brush your hair?”

Yes, I brush my hair when it is wet. I don’t brush my hair when it is dry because it will become less defined. I hope that answer helps. Now please don’t ask it in a rude way but in a way that you want to be informed.

[afro-naturalista]

Curly hair is a movement soon to become a staple in our society!

Tyler Correawhite

[afro-naturalista]

Found Again Curls

By:Tyler Correawhite

“Why am I not beautiful?”

I asked myself that question every time I looked in the mirror

And my reflection always responded with the same answer,

“You’re different.Your hair makes you different. It’s not like everyone else's; straight, long, and beautiful.”

And for a long period of time, I believed it.

I thought about the girls that guys liked when I was growing up,

And they all had one thing in common;

Straight, long, and beautiful hair.

Transitively, my hair could not be seen as beautiful.

It was neither long nor straight and therefore, it was not beautiful.

And it wouldn’t be beautiful, unless I confined its curls to the rigid standards of beauty

At least, that’s what society had led me to believe.

And so, I did it.

I tamed the curls.

And I continued to tame them until one day,

I couldn’t get its natural state back.

For each curl that was lost as collateral damage to a war within myself,

I lost a piece of who I was.

Of who I am.

Of who I wanted to become.

I tried to reverse the damage.

But what I failed to understand was;

How can one untame what has already been tamed?

You can’t.

Just as the phoenix gives birth to new beginnings,

I opted to do the same by removing the hair that was not authentic.

It took me a while before I began to appreciate my curls for what they are.

So as I began to recover from, what seemed, a lifelong battle,

I decided to take away something very important from this experience.

I am a lion; untamed, wild, and free

And my curls are the curves of my hips,

The kink in my walk,

The freedom in my spirit.

My curls make me the lioness whose maines were never tamed,

to manifest their pride as the descendents of a tenacious race.

My curls are the crimping definition of beauty,

that can no longer be confined to European standards.

Each wave, each spiral, each coil having a bounce of its own.

Each curl known for its ability to disobey.

Each curl undertakes a sense of freedom and identity.

Each one speaking a mind of its own.

These abandoned curls that I once shamed,

Has made me a lioness in my domain.

Every follicle deems me stronger.

And in every lock lies the essence of my culture.

These curls are my daily reminder,

That different is beautiful, because the word “different”,

places you on a spectrum of beauty that the world will learn to see.

[afro-naturalista]

Top 10 Foods for the Hair

By: Tyler Correawhite

Many of you may think that your hair growth is dependent on which products you use and how well you moisturize your hair. Even though this is true hair growth is also dependent on what foods you eat to maintain your health. I know that you may think this is a joke but trust me your health is a main contributor to healthy hair. Im not saying that not eating these foods will not make your hair grow! Im saying that these foods help promote hair growth. However, no matter what you eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference, say nutrition and hair experts. Below is a list of products as well as how and why they help hair growth and strength.

1)Salmon

Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. This helps to support the scalp preventing dry scalp.

2)Dark Green Vegetables

Dark Green Vegetables is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, iron and calcium, which your body needs to produce sebum. This is the oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles and is the body’s natural hair conditioner.

3)Beans

Beans not only provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but there is a lot of iron, zinc, and biotin. Biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

4)Nuts

Nuts provide zinc and selenium depending on the nut which help to make the scalp healthy.

5)Poultry

Poultry also provides protein and iron which both help to make the hair shaft shiny and strong.

6)Eggs

Eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

7)Whole-grains

Whole-grains give the hair a healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

8)Oysters 

Oysters have zinc a powerful antioxidant that can be very useful to the hair.

9)Low-Fat Dairy Products

Low-Fat Dairy Products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.

10)Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp. And you need a healthy scalp in order to have healthy growth!

[afro-naturalista]

CURLY HAIRED SISTERS IN ENTERTAINMENT

By: Tyler Correawhite

Look at these three empowering and successful Black females rock the natural hair that they were born with! All three on the red carpet showing us that natural hair is the best option when trying to remain close to your heritage. These ladies are showing us that you can still look beautiful without applying chemicals or heat to your hair. For centuries in the entertainment business many black females didn’t wear their hair natural! Many straightened it and now these females are rocking their hair on television. For example, Tracee Ellis Ross wears her hair on ABC’s Blackish. Lupita also wears her hair natural on the various movies she stars in and Solange wears her hair natural on social media and other entertainment outlets. Today, curly hair is a revolution and the revolution starts with internal appreciation for your natural hair’s textured state.

[afro-naturalista]

Yes I comb my hair, when it's wet; No I don't comb my hair when it's dry. Now stop asking me.

Tyler Correawhite

[afro-naturalista]

10 Popular Natural Hair Products (Styling)

By: Tyler Correawhite

1) Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque

Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque provides a coating to the hair follicle allowing your hair to repair itself from its dry, damaged and brittle state.

2) Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie helps your curls be more defined limiting frizz in only a little amount of product. 

3) Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme

Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme helps to hydrate and define every curly hair strand, meanwhile giving your scalp a tingling sensation.

4) Ouidad Curl Quencher Styling Gel

Ouidad Curl Quencher Styling Gel is the product that keeps your curls moist and defined without making your hair hard.

5) Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Kinky Curly Curling Custard helps to define and elongate your curls meanwhile leaving a brilliant shine.

6) Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing and Conditioning Styling Pudding

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing and Conditioning Styling Pudding helps to deep moisturize, improve softness and prevent frizz.

7) As I Am Curling Jelly

As I Am Curling Jelly is a product that defines the curl and prevents frizz meanwhile elongating curl strands. 

8) Cantu Shea Butter

Cantu Shea Butter can be used as a conditioner meanwhile as a styling cream to define your luscious curls.

9) Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner

Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner works on many different hair types also maintaining frizz and defining curls.

10) Deva Curl Light Defining Gel

Deva Curl Light Defining Gel gives a light and moisturizing hold to your curls. You have a minimized amount of hair product meanwhile maintaining your natural curl.